Comment: The prophet Jeremiah is reassured by God’s words. God loves Jeremiah, knows him better than he knows himself, and has called him for a specific purpose. Even when young Jeremiah doubts himself, God reassures him of God’s everlasting presence. In rhythmic prose, Nancy Tillman tells the story of a parent’s love for her child. Each day, the child wants to be a different animal. Yet, no matter what animal her child magically decides to be each day, her mother can identify her, as she knows her better than anyone else. In every animal form, the love the mother has for her child continues. No matter what we are going through or who we think we are, God’s love for and knowledge of us is constant. How have you experienced God’s love for you? When has God’s presence helped you get through different or difficult time

Comment: Love Monster comes home from vacation and discovers a box of chocolates on his doorstep. Love Monsters love chocolate, but Love Monster wonders what would happen if he shares his chocolates with his friends. His wondering soon turns into worry. Love Monster is worried about what chocolates would be left for him if he shared them with his friends, or if he even has enough chocolates to share in the first place. He decides that it would just be easier to keep the chocolates for himself. Just before he starteds to eat the chocolates by himself, he realizes he is lonely and so he seeks out his friends to share his chocolates. In this week’s text, Paul reminds readers that love is more than just a feeling and that love often exists through different actions. Love Monster loved his friends through sharing what he had with them. How do members of your faith community love one another?

Comment: In this week’s gospel lesson, readers are given two examples of how we might deal with anger. Those who were listening to Jesus in the synagogue “were filled with rage” after hearing Jesus’ teaching. They were so angry that they tried to drive Jesus out of town and towards danger. In stark contrast to their anger, Jesus “passed through the midst of them and went on his way.” Dealing with our anger can sometimes be difficult. Michael Gordon tells the story of George and his pet dragon, Joe. Sometimes Joe gets angry when things do not go his way, but George shows Joe that there are helpful ways to deal with one’s anger. From deep breaths to talking it all out, Joe starts to learn alternatives to “flying into a rage” and turning “angry and red.” How might we learn to follow in Jesus’ footsteps and “go on our way” during times when we’re angry?